Costumed characters and other questions

[Feathers]

I live in Vancouver BC and I'm currently looking into the DCP as more of a back-up than anything else. My first choice is Game design at one of the many close companies, but I'm also interested in costumed character performance at Disneyland.

I'm graduating high school this year and I've only ever worked in the YVR airport, but I have experience as a costumed character as a side hobby. I build mascot suits/perform on Halloween/etc.

Does anything in the DCP help with working towards that? Does a costumed character need any experience outside of the program? I'm mostly interested in being Stitch, since my personal characters act like him and I'm definitely short enough. I handle the heat of the costume well, since I've often performed at conventions for hours at a time with no break and high temps.

What about working at DL in Anaheim? Is it possible to be placed there instead of WDW? It would be a lot closer to home.

Lastly, how does one get by on the DCP wages? I started my current job at $9/hr, so it would sort of be a step down for me. Is there really enough to buy food/pay rent/etc? I could easily bring $1000-$2000 with me when I go. Is it really worth it if Disney is my second choice?

Thanks everyone!

 

[TinkerMouse]

In order to be a costumed character through the Disney College Program you have to first apply to the program. You would apply to the Disneyland College Program instead of Walt Disney World's. However, if you were to do that you wouldn't be able to be a character performer since that role is only available for College Program participants in WDW. For all Disney college programs you must be enrolled in a college to be eligible. After that you have to pass the web interview in order to be allowed to call to schedule a phone interview. You must then pass that and have character performer selected on your role checklist. From there you have to go to an audition. There is the chance of being accepted into the program as a character performer and there is the chance being accepted but not as a character performer, this is in addition to the chance of not being accepted at all.

College program character performers tend to get paid eight dollars and change (don't know the exact change) per hour. The pay is bad but it's enough to live on. They refer to it as a paid internship since most work opportunities like this (for college students) aren't paid. They take your rent out of your pay then you use the rest for groceries and whatever else. As long as you aren't going on shopping sprees like a lot of people do, or going out frequently (restaurants, clubbing, etc.) you'll be fine. Expensive groceries and a lot of gas tank refills might make sure you don't go back home with much money though...

Since you live in Canada you'll have to do the International Program instead. I'm not sure about how different it is. It may not allow participants to work in entertainment. I don't know. I do know that it doesn't matter whether or not they allow International Program participants to work in entertainment if you are set on heading to Disneyland since (as I already stated) Disneyland doesn't allow any of program participants to work entertainment. If you lived in the U.S. you would either have to wait until you were enrolled in a college or do the Career Start Program, but I'm not sure if Career Start has an International Program so you may not be able to do any of this until you enroll in a college.

What do you mean is it worth it if Disney is your 2nd choice? You apply, they accept you or not, then if accepted you choose whether or not to accept the invitation. There is no risk and if you have nothing else to do for five or so months what's the harm of putting a Fortune 100 company on your resume?

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

I think for the college program you have to be in college.
Im in the application process to work at Disney World at Epcot in the Canada pavillion for the Cultural Rep program...you can find info on it at www.yummyjobs.com I think they have internetional college program info as well

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

Everything TinkerMouse said is correct. It is much harder to get a character role at Disneyland compared to WDW (and I'm not saying it's easy in Florida- there are just more opportunities.) Disneyland hasn't been hiring regular new Entertainment Cast Members in a long time and I know it's been a few years since they offered Entertainment to CP's.

 

[glendalais]

I think for the college program you have to be in college.

In the OPs case, she or he would also have to be attending a College or University in the United States and have unlimited work authorization, such as Legal Permanent Resident status or U.S. nationality.

For more information on Disney International Programs opportunities, visit http://www.disneyinternationalprograms.com. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts does not generally sponsor work visas for those from outside the United States seeking general employment in an Hourly Guest Service role.

 

[Amber Leigh]

TinkerMouse has this one pretty well covered. Just ONE thing she was not sure about...

Since you live in Canada you'll have to do the International Program instead. I'm not sure about how different it is. It may not allow participants to work in entertainment. I don't know.

Unless things have changed since I was on the CP program, it IS possible to be on the ICP and performer. I trained for attendant with two girls from England that were originally accepted into performer, but changed their minds after day three and switched over into attendant training. And one of the girls I worked with pretty regularly later on was on the ICP from Japan.

 

[Feathers]

In the OPs case, she or he would also have to be attending a College or University in the United States and have unlimited work authorization, such as Legal Permanent Resident status or U.S. nationality.

But if I'm doing the ICP, then I wouldn't have to be a resident. One of the sister schools of the program is Langara, and there is a Langara that is local here.

Unless things have changed since I was on the CP program, it IS possible to be on the ICP and performer. I trained for attendant with two girls from England that were originally accepted into performer, but changed their minds after day three and switched over into attendant training. And one of the girls I worked with pretty regularly later on was on the ICP from Japan.

I suppose I would have to ask someone directly before signing up then. My second choice is probably ride operations, but I'd prefer something to do with the characters. Even being a handler/helping into costume is good enough for me.

 

[TreviToo]

Seems like a lot to go through if it's only your second choice, wouldn't really suggest it. Can always be a character somewhere else..

 

[Jacqueline M.]

Hi everyone, I am brand new to this forum but I was wondering if anyone could help me with this question I have. I had auditioned to be a parade performer and character in Oct. and made it through. They called me and sadly I had to turn down the position because I was finishing up my last semester at college and couldn't just leave. They placed me in the character pool now, and I am anxiously waiting to hear from someone, but in the meantime am I allowed to audition for other roles? I kno in order to audition for a character role again i need to wait 6 months, but is that for every audition? What if I want to audition for a vocalist or actor? would I still have to wait 6 months or is that just if i wanted to audition for a character again? If anyone could help me that would be great! thanksssss,

Jackie

 

[Berlioz70]

Character Auditions are unrelated to the Actor/Singer/Musician/Stunt Performer auditions. You can go to any of those as often as you'd like!